The Premonitions Play Out!

Ha Ha! And so it goes! The Wall-rus just announced a massive blast through North America! See you in Denver, Wall-nuts! http://gotye.com/#reader/items/north-american-tour-announcement-187.html

Bitchin'

Candid, Indeed!

Some funny off-the-cuff pics that are a bit hard to find. I have no idea where/how I found some of these so I may not credit with exactness. "Cherrio!" (That's Wally's word when he talks to you via email, I'm just borrowing it...I am not cool enough to use it myself.)

Pic in mid-vid mode

No idea where this comes from or who the custardy blokes are standing next to him. On this day, he was apparently just a lad munching a vegi-mite sandwich or something...circa 2008-ish I think??

In the act, as it were...and in need of the usual blow-dryer for the underarm region.

Truly Grassroots

A fun interview on the genesis of awesome...and we always love a few minutes chat with our favorite genius/goofball!

Tour Dates Blast Out!

>wiping brow and panting< Wow, Wally-fans! Just a couple days off from the internets and I find a deluge of brilliance in the form of numerous added tour dates for late 2012! Blimey! Gotye: RT @GotyeHQ: We've got some big @gotye tour news coming soon! Make sure you are signed up to the mailing list to get the news first! Visit Gotye.com to view the full list of Europe dates! Wally is going to be one busy boy! Add some dedicated non-festival states shows soon??!! PPlllleeeaaasse!

Photo: Flickr Gotye

Who Will Bag the Bootie?

Being 16 hours behind makes this a bit old hat by Melbourne standards, but the Emma Hack/Gotye charity piece has been auctioned off now, by my estimates. Wally/Emma are likely fast asleep at the moment, being approximately 4-ish in the morning in their neck of the woods...unless Wally has been overcome by one of those late-night musical brain-bugs. Updates soon on the sale of the piece and how much some lucky git paid for it. Check this mini doco out if you've not yet seen the brilliance:

Wally Reflects on North American Wildlife...

This one is short and funny, yet another moment of Wally's genuine goofiness. I love the comments on this video, including from the interviewer herself. She mentions being so enamored with him after the interview that she asked his attorney if he was 'available.' Something tells me he's not 'flirting' with her like that. My fellow female Wall-nuts; as much as he may come off as such, I think Wally is just a very nice, sortof sheepishly-charming chap. He's probably not flirting, just being cute, which seems to be one of his many native talents. I'll bet this interviewer felt a bit blue to find out that Wally is very much not available, as evidenced by a several-years long relationship with a one Tash Parker, bless her heart. He verifiably wrote one song about her in "Making Mirrors" ("Save Me") and in the most disturbingly adorable fashion, she also has a song on her indy release that references his ("Not Unprepared" is the title....read the lyrics and you'll get it.) Don't know about you, ladies, but I can respect a woman who has bagged the brilliant heart of Wally. She must be something special. And I am glad that they both seem very happy. Wally and Tash at 2011 ARIA Awards, are they not f*#cking adorable?:

US Return Dates Trickle In

Wally and co. will be rolling in to Austin City Limits in Austin, TX on October 12-14th. More signals of activity on the US return radar? This blogger is not getting too excited yet, but perhaps we will see continual opportunities for the yankee crowd. I used to scan the late-night PBS channels and pass by ACL with eyes rolling. I stand corrected! The tour excitement continues! Pllllease Wally, I won't fault you for passing over Utah, but perhaps a Denver or Las Vegas show soon-ish? Give me, oh...let's say, 6 months, so I can save enough money to make good on my commitment and buy exorbitantly pricey backstage passes! :) Life savings is nothing compared to life-long dreams....you of all people would know.

Image courtesy: Flickr: Gotye

Thought He Looked Familar

I was an artist and art history buff years ago, and my all-time favorite piece was Gian Lorenzo Bernini's "David." Kicks Michelangelo's arse. Anyway, after doing some sketch work on a Bernini piece today I got the creeps....see a resemblance?

Images: google and Flickr

Cheers to the Man!

Oh you silly goose! Happy 32nd "Wout!" By now I'm 16 hours behind you, so your birthday is...well....old news. But not for me. So very glad you came into this world. Now you watch your silly arse so you stay around, deal? There's unfinished business and much more music with which to transform and transcend. Cheers to one of my forever favourite boys.

Image Courtesy: FYG/Tumblr

Happy Birthday Wally!

This Monday will mark our wonderful Wally's 32nd birthday. May there be many more to come! His music is a gift to the world, let's hope he gets something awesome for his day....maybe a nap and a sherry!

It's Like a Hamster on a Wheel!

"Somebody" sitting at #1 on the Billboard charts for the 5th consecutive week! Damn, Wally! Where are you stashing all the cash that's on it's way to you?

Okay....that's...creative. In other news, there's rumblings of Wally's rock band The Basics making a greatest hits album! This blogger thinks there's more than enough material, for sure! This is from their FB page, but seems to be in the concept stages. Here's to hoping our guys will make good! Likely that more nudity will abound....

Images: TheBasics FB, FYG (Tumblr)

Hey Look What I Can Do...

I'm a sketchy gal sometimes. I guess inspiration comes in many forms, eh?

This one got a bit attenuated in the scanning process, came out a little squished:

**these are original works by me, please request access to copy or utilize in any way by contacting me: thepoet85_2@hotmail.com

My 15-Seconds of Tweet Fame

Apparently the G-man's management like that I fell violently ill after receiving my copy of Like Drawing Blood all the way from Australia. Wally, did you lace my goods with anthrax or something? Was it my 'pen-pal' the Gotye mailman? Hopefully there won't be snakes waiting patiently to spring out at me when I crack open my much anticipated import copy of Boardface. GotyeHQ: Brilliant! RT “@ShrinkPaige: Got LDB in mail. Listened to it all night, woke up with flu... the music is infectious https://twitter.com/#!/GotyeHQ

New Show in the States & Wally Gets His Jones

It was just announced that the Wall-rus will play the Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival in Seattle on September 1st. He's back fer a little bit, folks. Perhaps the stateside bookings will continue to flow in over the months. This blogger is seriously considering a lil' jaunt, but methinks I'd rather see a dedicated show for him than a festival. Hmmmm....must decide soon. On another lurvely note, check out the convo Wally had with Triple J, and hey, he finally got that epic Stylophone he'd been talking up for a while now. Perhaps this will be the genesis of album #4? Buzzing with excitement!

Photo: Gotye HQ/Twitter

The Finished Product

Here's a glimpse at the $25K piece by Emma hack that will be auctioned for charity on May 25th:

Read more about the process and watch the amazing little mini doco (or see earlier post today for the embedded vid): http://www.theage.com.au/national/a-talented-hack-puts-gotye-back-in-the-picture-this-time-for-charity-20120512-1yjvm.htm photo: theage.com

Musings

Wondering why Wally's music made me such a fan? Maybe feeling a little Wall-nutty yourself? I'll actually post a little from me for a moment, but don't get used to it, it's right back to the man after this!

On The Nature of My Fandom Life was a pedestrian process before April of 2012. I went to work, went to class for the continual pursuit of my graduate degree, came home, looked around at life and rarely wondered “so what?” Until a tiny auditory meteorite burned through the atmosphere and shot straight into the areas on my brain which apparently lord over the whole of my spiritual self-identity. Probably the amygdala or something near that area. It started with a song, then a clever little film clip for the song, featuring a strange, painted humanoid creature with a gaping mouth that appeared capable of swallowing an entire heart in one attempt. Sounds like some terrifying monster, right? No, in fact, although initially somewhat off-put by the emerald-eyed beast, I could not help but be rapt by the music it was producing from said facial orifice. I put my confusion aside and just listened…..I was not utterly transformed at first, just….interested. I listened some more-to the creature singing about ruining the world. I believed he could, at that moment. I believed something strange-I was concerned that I was fumbling with a personally profound discovery. It was that song-about eyes being wide open to impending desolation-that I found myself feeling scorched and barren. There’s something difficult about falling in love with something, especially when that something is…well…something you did not create. Something that someone else made. It calls into question every pursuit to which you have committed yourself, every project and relationship and pledge. It makes you wonder if you ought to just toss your work into the fire, because clearly, someone else out there has just made something that you yourself long to have been capable of. It becomes an existentially rocking experience. Maybe you have not had this experience, or maybe you have with something else in your life, or maybe you’ve felt some semblance of it for the music. If you have, my messy heart goes out to you. Since then I have been compelled to the work of a chameleon-finding each branch I can of the art and straining to blend a bit of myself with it until a tiny part of my mind and heart melt into it. I will never disappear into it entirely, that would be a mistake, but fragments of my self have broken off and floated away into that orbit, and I will never get them back. Not sure I want them back. I think the only sustainable way to respond is to embrace the loss of my pieces into the creature’s art, and let him, in some remote way, become a part of my self-identity. I must retain this sense of unease, perhaps it will check me in the moments when the torpor of life engulfs me. I suppose I must get comfortable with the discomfort, in times when life throws me troubles-it will help me remember that not everything in the world is shithouse. Thanks, Wally-creature. You changed a little bit of she who is steely and stubborn.

Uh Oh....is the fashion world calling?

This seems like trouble.

Wally and Kimbra sporting Burberry in a recent TMagazine spread. Wally...this blogger implores you...don't become a man-model. You're oddly handsome, yes, but really...that shirt...make it stop. Let's go back to the v-neck tee and grey cardi, eh? I like our Wally normal.

What's Wally Doing Now?

Wow, cool project Wally is doing with Emma Hack, the same artist who painted him for "Somebody." The work will be auctioned at the Art Series Hotel Charity Auction in Melbourne. Read more here: http://www.theage.com.au/national/a-talented-hack-puts-gotye-back-in-the-picture-this-time-for-charity-20120512-1yjvm.html

Sunday is Fun Facts Day!

Did you know that our brilliant Wally speaks Flemish, French and Japanese? Perhaps further proof that he is indeed a genius? That's my theory, at least....

photo courtesy: Gotye.com

EWO Gaining Attention...Finally

The song that is (in the humble opinion of this blogger) perhaps the most artful and brilliant on the Making Mirrors album -"Eyes Wide Open"-is finally picking up some of the heat on Youtube, cresting over 7million plays. For anyone who hasn't had a chance to get to know this song, watch the mini doco (I recommend it first as it sets the stage for the official clip) and music video and you'll be stunned, joyous, and utterly hooked.

A Surprising Email

My Friday morning started a bit differently than usual-with an email in my inbox from a one Walter De Backer. To my joy, it was in fact from Wally, not one of his reps. Thanks, Wally, for taking a moment of your crazy awesome busy life to nod back. You've officially solidified yourself as my musical hero, and clearly you've not forgotten where you come from. You have my ears forever....and probably a good lot of my future funds as well.

Cheers Indeed.

A Couple Fun & Funky Basics Bits

My Freshman Forays into Music Reviews

http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/product/78113 http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/product/70017 http://www.waterfrontrecords.com/product/74271

Image courtesy: Tumblr Check out my reviews (bottom left of page) for LDB, MM and KYFC. I admit, I would Loooovvvvvvee to moonlight as an interviewer/music reviewer....although I might spend too much of my time on Wally's music. Suppose he has any openings for PR reps in the states?

1 month at #1!

The accolades just keep coming, with "Somebody" sitting at #1 on the Billboard charts for the fourth week in a row! Here's to hoping that we see the next single (there's chatter of either Easy Way Out or Eyes Wide Open) blast through the endless pop dross on the market today and stomp it out just as "Somebody" has!

Stop and smell the roses, Wally. You've got it made! image courtesy: Tumblr

YouTube views pass 200 million!

Wally's insanely viral music video for "Somebody" just crested 200 million views. I was probably responsible for bout 20 of those, you too, right? Congrats to the man, Kimbra, director Natasha Pinkus and all involved in the production of a simple but brilliant video that so aptly conveys the meaning of the song. Cheers to Wally! Let's hear a holler!

image courtesy: tumblr

Ice Breaker: Gotye Music: GQ.com

Ice Breaker: Gotye Music: GQ.com "The Europe tour was really good. Lots of little highlights. Unfortunately—and it's almost to be expected—I got really sick, for like nine days. I've had a really heavy flu. I felt really shithouse. And I was so bored. Belgian television...struggled to sustain my interest." Read More http://www.gq.com/entertainment/music/201204/gotye-interview-glee-saturday-night-live#ixzz1uJV1dkyT

This is priceless...and disturbing

Wally playing a self-important, fussy rock star character in an apparent indy film with some mates a while back-based on my Wally-wisdom, probably around the Boardface period (2003-ish.) Very funny, awful outfit. From the film's website: "Was Gotye really in the original film? Yes, although back then we called him Wally.When we started writing the screenplay, Wally had released his first album under the name Gotye. In the script, he was written as an obscure, avant-garde artist. As we made the film, actual Wally couldn't help but outdo his fictitious self - releasing a second album, a third album, embarking on a national and international tour, and winning the ARIA for Best Male Artist in 2007. It was great for actual Wally, but really annoying for us, because we had to keep rewriting fictitious Wally to keep up with reality" Hopefully the real Gotye won't become a mess like his character in the face of actual fame...perhaps we've been warned??!! Alert: language is a bit rude, ridiculous and poorly-acted humor abounds...and yes, it is actually Wally. Scan to about 10:00 for his scene. http://www.relivingofftheland.com/page/faq.html

Great Interview!

Gian asks all the right questions, and gets into some discrepancies as well. Great work delving into the mind of the man and the music:

Gotye - Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Gotye Talks During Arts And Crafts

Gotye - Buzzworthy Blog Exclusive: Gotye Talks During Arts And Crafts: Gotye plays with pipe cleaners while discussing his name, his music and a love of Muppets.

image courtesy: MTV

Gotye - WTF Wednesday: Gotye

Gotye - WTF Wednesday: Gotye: Gotye stops by for the latest edition of WTF Wednesday. This one is fun-feels like he's just having a casual chat with the viewer,

The Reluctant Genius

Two articles that highlight the tension of remaining relevant: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/inside-gotyes-weirdo-aussie-pop-thats-invading-your-radio-20120503 http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/lifeandtimes/gotye-aims-to-avoid-being-somebody-we-used-to-know/516411

We also get the joy of discovering that he has 'pet' koalas in the yard of the humble home he shares with girlfiend Tash. Fun fun fun!

A little R&R?

While Wally (hopefully) takes a little break from world-wide fame, his infectious hit "Somebody" makes it way to YouTube's all time top 30 videos! Congrats, Wally! Now take a nap!

Photo courtesy: Tumblr

What might be in store for number 4?

Some Wally musings on the possible directions of future albums: http://www.nme.com/news/gotye/63580?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=fanpage-nmenews-gotye

photo courtesy: Tumblr

Take A Bow

A really nice pic from the last night of the US tour, April 19th. Almost brings a tear to a fan's eye. Hope our favorite boy will be back soon.... Photo courtesy: Chip Waterfield